Pettitt was in Tamworth on Thursday to host a clinic for kids, under her commercial initiative, SP Netball.

The previous week she was in Eden leading a group of 44 children from as young as five through new drills.

The former Giant launched the company more than a decade ago, but is now in a position to ramp up its activities after finishing her career.

The ability to continue to make money from a sport which has given her so much, while also enhancing it through player development, is a marriage she finds fulfilling.

Growing up at Bega, on the Far South Coast of NSW, Pettitt said she never had the opportunity to tap an initiative like SP Netball.

“So I thought that there was a big hole for junior kids, who realised if they worked hard and they trained hard they could one day play for Australia,” she said.

“So that’s why I started it [the company] – to get out there and inspire the kids.

“It’s been growing every year, it’s been getting more and more regional kids involved, and I’m having more time to get at the kids, which is great.”

A lot of elite athletes come out of retirement, believing they still have something to give.Pettitt said she would not be one of them.

Capped 71 times for Australia, the 34-year-old former Swift said that after 17 years of top-flight netball, she had nothing left to prove.

“I’ve been around, done everything I can in the playing world,” she said.

“So now I’m trying to give back to netball and give back to grassroots [netball] and get some coaching going.”

A goal attack and goal shooter, Pettitt had been a member of the Australian team since 2006.

In her final season, she helped the Giants clinch the 2018 minor premiership with an 88 per cent hit rate at the net to overcome the West Coast Fever, 69-66, in front of nearly 4500 home fans.

After a national league debut in 2002 with the Sydney Sandpipers, Pettitt played 17 seasons on the national stage as well as representing Australia in three Commonwealth Games and at the 2007 World Championships. 

Giants head coach Julie Fitzgerald had nothing but praise for the star when announcing Pettitt’s retirement.

“As a player who forged her netball career at a small Association on the Sapphire Coast and then went on to become an elite professional athlete and represent her country on the global stage, Susan is an inspiration for all up-and-coming regional athletes.”